[James]

How to watch SpaceX's 1st Starship space launch live online for free on April 17
By Tariq Malik published 1 day ago

You can watch SpaceX's Starship launch live on April 17 starting at 7:15 a.m. EDT. Liftoff is set for 8 a.m.

When SpaceX attempts to launch its Starship, the world's biggest rocket, for the first time on April 17, the world will be watching and you can, too, with a free webcast from the private spaceflight company.

SpaceX's first Starship test flight is currently set to launch from the company's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Village in South Texas no earlier than Monday, April 17. Liftoff is targeted for 8 a.m. EDT (7 a.m. CDT/1200 GMT) at the start of a launch window that runs for 150 minutes (through 10:30 a.m. EDT/1430 GMT). SpaceX's webcast is scheduled to begin 45 minutes before liftoff, making its start at 7:15 a.m. EDT (1115 GMT). You can watch it live above and on the Space.com homepage at start time, or watch it directly from SpaceX's webcast(opens in new tab) and its YouTube channel(opens in new tab).

"Success maybe, excitement guaranteed!" SpaceX founder Elon Musk wrote on Twitter after the company secured its Starship launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration late Friday (April 14).


SpaceX's first nearly orbital Starship launch will launch the company's Starship SN24 prototype on a Super Heavy booster (called Booster 7) to prove the viability of the company's next-generation launch system, which is designed to eventually be fully reusable. It stands a whopping 395 feet tall (120 meters), making it the world's tallest and most powerful rocket. Its Super Heavy first stage alone is powered by 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines.

SpaceX will use Starship to land NASA's Artemis 3 astronauts on the moon in 2025, and plans to use the spacecraft for at least three private spaceflights, two of them to carry passengers around the moon. Starship is also SpaceX's planned go-to vehicle to fly astronauts to Mars as part of the company's long-term goal of settling the Red Planet.

"Starship is a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the Moon, and travel to Mars and beyond," SpaceX wrote in a mission description(opens in new tab). "With a test such as this, success is measured by how much we can learn, which will inform and improve the probability of success in the future as SpaceX rapidly advances development of Starship."

SpaceX's first orbital Starship rocket stands atop its Super Heavy booster at the company's Starbase test site near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas.


SpaceX's first orbital Starship rocket stands atop its Super Heavy booster at the company's Starbase test site near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. (Image credit: SpaceX)


For its debut launch, SpaceX's Starship will lift off from its Starbase pad, but not attempt to land. Instead, the Super Heavy booster will separate about 3 minutes into flight and aim to make a soft landing and splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Starship vehicle, meanwhile, is expected to reach a near orbital velocity that will carry it around the world toward a targeted splashdown point in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii. The entire Starship test flight should last about 90 minutes, SpaceX has said.

And it may not go as planned.

"As is the case with all developmental testing, this schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our social media channels for updates," SpaceX wrote in its mission overview. "As we venture into new territory, we continue to appreciate all of the support and encouragement we have received from those who share our vision of a future where humanity is out exploring among the stars!"

https://www.space.com/spacex-starshi...ght-livestream

Launch attempt between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM UK time on Monday.

Most powerful rocket ever built.

[arista]

Elon Musk is not sure Starship's first orbital
test launch will be a success

That's very sensible to say
All that money could burn UP.

Let's hope it is a success,
we will find out tomorrow.

https://news.sky.com/story/spacex-ge...onday-12858642

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55564448


Life In The Fast Lane

[arista]

"Most powerful rocket ever built."


James, you make it sound like a Bomb.

[James]

Originally Posted by arista

"Most powerful rocket ever built."


James, you make it sound like a Bomb.

If it were to blow up on the launch pad it would be one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever.

[bots]

live feed

Youtube video

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by James

private spaceflight

[Barry.]

Is anyone a bit scared of this? Like in, what if it doesn’t work out?

[bots]

i think thats why the launch pad is in the sea

[Barry.]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i think thats why the launch pad is in the sea

Oh that is less of a worry I guess lol

[arista]

Originally Posted by James

If it were to blow up on the launch pad it would be one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever.

Yes, I hope it does not


But it can happen

[arista]

Clock Ticking

Due to take off 2:20PM today.

[James]

Launch has been cancelled for today.

[Barry.]

Originally Posted by James

Launch has been cancelled for today.

Do we know who was on the ship?

[James]

Originally Posted by Barry.

Do we know who was on the ship?

No-one onboard for this test.

[arista]

The Valve that lets the gas in
was too sticky.


Could now be Weds or Thurs.

[James]

Originally Posted by Barry.

Is anyone a bit scared of this? Like in, what if it doesn’t work out?

Yeah a bit, there's a exclusion 5-mile zone around the launch pad.

You look at this picture it doesn't seem that far.

[arista]

BBCnews Text:
[The paper also says that Star Trek character
Captain James T Kirk would have been blind
because a lack of gravity causes eyesight problems
for astronauts.

[bots]

high altitude climbing causes the same issue

[arista]

Today is Thursday


Another try at taking off.



In the next 30mins or so


https://www.spacex.com/launches/miss...ip-flight-test

[bots]

Youtube video

[arista]

Rocket Going
less that 2mins

[arista]

Slight Delay

[Alf]

Is someone smoking on board?

[arista]

Originally Posted by Alf

Is someone smoking on board?

No the Booster tank
lets steam out

[arista]

Still awaiting the Countdown